The Best Cheese Dips for Game Day
Cheese dips offer something for everyone to enjoy on game day. Surprise your guests with a pot of fondue designed for sharing, or try your hand at a regional specialty like pimento cheese or spicy, cheese-and-sausage choriqueso. If you're tailgating or traveling to watch the game, opt for an easy-to-transport cold dip, like 7 layer dip or blue cheese dip to go with buffalo wings. And for a hit of nostalgia, you can't go wrong with a ballpark classic like nacho cheese sauce and a big bowl of tortilla chips.
Even if you're not a sports fan, these dip recipes make it worth showing up at the game day celebration, for the cheese alone.
Pimento cheese
Nicknamed the "pâté of the South," this Southern American classic (with roots in the North!) features Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and cream cheese blended with pimentos, the mild red peppers often stuffed inside jarred green olives. Pair this creamy, sometimes-spicy cheese dip with chips, pretzels, or crackers. You can also spread pimento cheese on bread or toast; spoon it into devilled eggs; or serve it for a Masters viewing party—pimento cheese sandwiches have been a staple at this annual golf tournament since the 50s.
Dip Tip: Use freshly grated cheese, not the bagged stuff. The powdery coating on pre-shredded cheese can affect the texture of the dip.
Whipped ricotta photo credit Sarah Gim
Made by whipping soft Italian cow's milk ricotta with whole milk and a touch of salt, this airy cheese works as both a dip and a spread. The mild taste of whipped ricotta pairs equally well with sweet or savory ingredients. Make a bruschetta appetizer with balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, and herbs; top whipped ricotta with ripe tomatoes and good olive oil for a light lunch; or serve alongside fresh fruit and honey for an easy dessert. You can also add a bowl of whipped ricotta to a raw vegetable platter or charcuterie board—blend the cheese with an extra splash of milk for the smoothest dipping consistency.
Dip Tip: You will need an appliance, such as a food processor or a hand mixer, to create the signature silkiness of whipped ricotta.
Choriqueso photo credit Aubrie Pick and Ten Speed Press
Queso means "cheese" in Spanish, but in the United States, the term usually refers to a cheese-and-pepper dip popular in Tex-Mex and Southwestern cuisine. One variation, choriqueso, combines creamy white cheese with chorizo, a spicy Mexican pork sausage. Featuring Monterey Jack cheese and scratch-made chorizo, this choriqueso recipe starts in a skillet then sizzles under the broiler until bubbly, gooey, and golden brown. Pair it with tortilla chips or warm tortillas for dipping, or serve alongside burritos or tacos.
Dip Tip: For optimal flavor, start with good-quality chorizo, or make your own.
Served sharing style in a warming pot accompanied by long dipping forks, this 60s and 70s party trend actually got its start in the late 1800s. The classic Swiss fondue consists of melted cheese (fondue means "melted" in French), wine, garlic, a thickening agent like cornstarch, and, occasionally, other types of alcohol or spices. This fondue recipe with Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois comes courtesy of The Matterhorn, a San Francisco fondue institution. Enjoy it with pieces of crusty French baguette or sourdough bread; boiled potatoes; fresh or pickled vegetables; or cured meats.
Dip Tip: Pay attention to proportions. Achieving the proper balance of wine, cheese, and cornstarch holds the key to successful fondue.
Artichoke cheese dip
Comprised of cream cheese, shredded Parmesan and/or mozzarella, mayonnaise, artichoke hearts, and sometimes spinach, artichoke dip remains a crowd-pleaser at parties, and a popular appetizer at chain and local restaurants alike. While some artichoke dips require pre-cooking on the stovetop, this recipe keeps things simple: just mix the ingredients together, spread into a dish, and bake. Serve artichoke dip warm, accompanied by crackers, tortilla chips, toasted baguette, or torn pieces of pita bread.
Dip Tip: For a shortcut, start with canned, already-quartered artichoke hearts, rather than whole.
7 layer dip
This Tex Mex-inspired American appetizer features contrasting ingredients (including refried beans, guacamole, taco-seasoned sour cream, salsa, Mexican-blend cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, and black olives) layered in a rectangular baking dish. With no cooking required, 7 layer dip offers a solid take-along option for traveling to a Super Bowl party or family gathering. This dip is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so no need to reheat upon arrival at your destination. Serve alongside corn chips, tortilla chips, or sliced raw vegetables.
Dip Tip: Choose a clear glass dish to highlight the dip's vibrant layers.
Beer cheese dip
In Germany, you'll find this Bavarian cheese spread at supermarkets and beer gardens. Beer is a key ingredient, of course, along with mashed Camembert cheese and butter, plus paprika to create the dip's signature peach color. (Some versions also include cream cheese, onions, horseradish, garlic, or additional spices, like the caraway seeds in this recipe.) Obatzda will thicken and deepen in flavor as it sits in the fridge, making it the ideal make-ahead dip. Serve at room temperature accompanied by hard or soft pretzels, along with your favorite beer.
Dip Tip: Room temperature Camembert makes mashing easier.
Nacho cheese
This concession stand classic evokes memories of an afternoon at the ballpark. Sometimes made with processed cheese, this homemade version instead contains real cheddar cheese, along with whole milk, flour, butter, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper. Drizzle nacho cheese sauce over tortilla chips (of course!) or pile high with beans, salsa, ground beef, and other fixings for the full "ballpark nacho" experience. You can also spoon this fluid sauce over French fries, hot dogs, or baked potatoes, or use it for dunking for soft pretzels.
Dip Tip: Like pimento cheese, this recipe works best with freshly grated Cheddar rather than pre-shredded cheese.
Beer cheese dip
Served cold, this dip showcases a sharp, salty blue cheese (like Stilton or Gorgonzola), plus sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and chives. This easy-to-prepare dip only takes a few minutes to make—just stir everything together and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy. Dip buffalo wings or buffalo cauliflower wings; pizza crusts; celery sticks; sliced bell peppers; crackers; or potato chips—the ridged kind stand up best to this pungent, textured dip.
Dip Tip: For depth of flavor, allow blue cheese dip to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.